Pig industry independent adviser Peter Crichton currently has four provisional outdoor pig equipment sales in the pipeline, all stemming from the loss of existing sites with no replacements currently available.

The problem is partly caused by uncertainty surrounding new measures in the Common Agricultural Policy, such as Ecological Focus Areas and Crop Diversification.

Unhelpful weather, increasing environmental pressure and NVZ nitrogen deposition limits, are also part of the problem, says NPA's Lizzie Press.

NPA will be working with BPEX and relevant organisations and advisers to shed some light on the situation and reassure land-owners that outdoor pigs are still a valuable asset on light land.